Relationship between obesity and the metabolic effects of smoking in women

Lifestyle characteristics as moderators of the effectiveness of weight control interventions among semiconductor workers

BACKGROUND

Workers in high technology industry are experiencing stressful environment and have been ranked as a high risk group for adverse health effects. The effectiveness of worksite health promotion is important for occupational health. This study is to investigate the effect of health interventions on body measurement changes while examining the role of their lifestyle factors.

METHODS

A total of 904 participants aged over 30 years were recruited from 14 semiconductor worksites in Taiwan from 2011 to 2015. A multi-settings, quasi-experimental study was conducted that assigned participants into two intervention programs, including exercise program and diet-plus-exercise program. The outcomes include the changes of body weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and biophysiological indicators. Lifestyle variables include alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and regular exercise. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to test the association.

RESULTS

The findings have demonstrated that one kilogram body weight reduction is associated with a decrease of 0.58 mmHg SBP (p < 0.001), 0.29 mmHg DBP (p < 0.001), 3.33 mg/dL triglyceride (p < 0.001), 0.96 mg/dL total cholesterol (p < 0.001), and 0.68 mg/dL LDL (p < 0.001). The diet-plus-exercise group had more significant effect on both weight changes and biophysiological changes than exercise-only group (p < 0.001). Lifestyle factors, including cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and regular exercise, were significant moderators of the effectiveness of health interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Both exercise and diet interventions are important to the effectiveness of health promotion in occupational sectors. Lifestyle modifications are vital for weight control programs in improving body shape changes and biophysiological indicators.

Changes in body weight and food choice in those attempting smoking cessation: a cluster randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Fear of weight gain is a barrier to smoking cessation and significant cause of relapse for many people. The provision of nutritional advice as part of a smoking cessation programme may assist some in smoking cessation and perhaps limit weight gain. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a structured programme of dietary advice on weight change and food choice, in adults attempting smoking cessation.

METHODS

Cluster randomised controlled design. Classes randomised to intervention commenced a 24-week intervention, focussed on improving food choice and minimising weight gain. Classes randomised to control received "usual care".

RESULTS

Twenty-seven classes in Greater Glasgow were randomised between January and August 2008. Analysis, including those who continued to smoke, showed that actual weight gain and percentage weight gain was similar in both groups. Examination of data for those successful at giving up smoking showed greater mean weight gain in intervention subjects (3.9 (SD 3.1) vs. 2.7 (SD 3.7) kg). Between group differences were not significant (p = 0.23, 95% CI -0.9 to 3.5). In comparison to baseline improved consumption of fruit and vegetables and breakfast cereal were reported in the intervention group. A higher percentage of control participants continued smoking (74% vs. 66%).

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention was not successful at minimising weight gain in comparison to control but was successful in facilitating some sustained improvements in the dietary habits of intervention participants. Improved quit rates in the intervention group suggest that continued contact with advisors may have reduced anxieties regarding weight gain and encouraged cessation despite weight gain. Research should continue in this area as evidence suggests that the negative effects of obesity could outweigh the health benefits achieved through reductions in smoking prevalence.

Relationship between smoking and obesity among women

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationship between smoking and weight status in adult women and whether this association differed by race.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 22,949 African American and 7831 white women enrolled in the Southern Community Cohort Study from 2002 to 2006.

RESULTS

Both African American and white current smokers had decreased odds of being overweight or obese compared to normal-weight nonsmokers, and the inverse trends between current smoking and BMI held for both groups.

CONCLUSION

A strong relationship exists between smoking and weight status, with patterns nearly identical for African Americans and white women.

Lifestyles, demographics, dietary behavior, and obesity: a switching regression analysis

OBJECTIVES; To investigate the effects of lifestyles, demographics, and dietary behavior on overweight and obesity.

DATA SOURCE

Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1994-1996, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

STUDY DESIGN

We developed a three-regime switching regression model to examine the effects of lifestyle, dietary behavior, and sociodemographic factors on body mass index (BMI) by weight category and accommodating endogeneity of exercise and food intake to avoid simultaneous equation bias. Marginal effects are calculated to assess the impacts of explanatory variables on the probabilities of weight categories and BMI levels.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Weight categories and exercise are found to be endogenous. Lifestyle, dietary behavior, social status, and other sociodemographic factors affect BMI differently across weight categories. Education, employment, and income have strong impacts on the likelihood of overweight and obesity. Exercise reduces the probabilities of being overweight and obese and the level of BMI among overweight individuals.

CONCLUSION

Health education programs can be targeted at individuals susceptible to overweight and obesity. Social status variables, along with genetic and geographic factors, such as region, urbanization, age, and race, can be used to pinpoint these individuals.

Development of overweight associated with childbearing depends on smoking habit: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively evaluate whether childbearing leads to development of overweight in women and to evaluate the role of other known risk factors.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

A prospective, multicenter observational study, the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study from 1986 to 1996, examined subjects at baseline and in follow-up years 2, 5, 7, and 10. Included were 998 (328 black and 670 white) nulliparous women, age 18-30 years, who were not overweight at baseline. Relative odds for incident overweight (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) associated with parity change (0, 1, or 2+) and risk factors were estimated using discrete-time survival models adjusted for baseline and time-dependent covariates.

RESULTS

Parity change-association with development of overweight depended on smoking habit (interaction, p < 0.001). In multivariate adjusted models, 1 and 2+ births vs. 0, respectively, were associated with increased risk for development of overweight among never smokers [odds ratio (OR) = 2.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.80, 3.93, and 2.10, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.56] and decreased risk among current smokers (OR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.96, and 0.36, 95% CI: 0.08, 1.65). Risk was increased for black vs. white race (OR = 3.49; 95% CI: 2.59, 4.69), frequent weight cycling (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.04), and high school education or less (OR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.50, 3.26) and was decreased for highest physical activity quartile (OR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.90).

DISCUSSION

Childbearing contributes to development of overweight in nonsmokers but not in smokers, where development of overweight is less likely in women who bear children. Race, education, and behaviors are important factors in development of overweight in young women.

The relationship between body weight perceptions, weight control behaviours and smoking status among adolescents

OBJECTIVES

This paper examines the relation between body weight perceptions, weight control behaviours and smoking status among a representative sample of Ontario students.

METHODS

Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between smoking status and perception of being overweight, and between smoking status and specific weight control behaviours.

RESULTS

Among females, the odds of being a smoker were significantly higher among those who perceived themselves to be overweight and who had employed weight control behaviours in the last 12 months. Among males, the adjusted odds of being a smoker was higher only among those who skipped meals in the past 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Body weight perceptions and the use of weight control behaviours were significantly associated with predictors of smoking among adolescent females. This suggests a need to incorporate discussion on body weight perception and body image in smoking prevention and cessation programs targeted toward adolescent females.